“Herod the tetrarch was a slave to the secular spirit, a true descendant of Esau, who preferred physical food to God's promised blessings. The service portrays his efforts to curry favour with the Jews, who were shocked by his open immorality; his rebuke by John and the murder of the Baptist; his vulgar curiosity concerning Jesus; his fury at Christ's condemnatory silence; summing up by forcible analogies with the secularism of to-day, and the temptations which Christ's followers have to overcome. Hymns – Take up thy Cross – Thou didst leave Thy Throne (illustrated solo) – O my Saviour, lifted – Just as I am.”